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Mystery Gadget: What's This Yellow Plastic Squeezer-Thing?

2008_03_05-Mystery.jpgA few years ago we received several boxes of plates, pots, cutlery and gadgets from a family member who was downsizing their kitchen. Ever since then, we have been mystified by this yellow plastic squeezer-thing.

Can you guess what it is?

 
 

2008_03_05-Mystery2.jpg

It consists of two plastic boxes that can be squeezed together, and that close up when pressed shut. Their construction is curious, though, and we could never figure out what this thing was for.

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We initially thought it was a garlic press (a very lame garlic press, but still). But we saw there was no way for whatever was in that top box to be squeezed. The top lidded container is separate from the rest of the contraption.

But then this item for sale at eBay tipped us off to the true nature of our plastic gadget. What is it? It's a...

Tupperware Butter Upper

This is a contraption lovingly designed for corn-on-the-cob fanatics.

2008_03_05-Mystery3.jpgApparently the top box holds salt. You can shake the salt out through the small shaker holes.

2008_03_05-Mystery4.jpgThen you can insert a chunk of butter in the lower half, between the bottom of the salt box and the narrow bars. Rub all over the corn on the cob for buttery, salty goodness.

Corn is thoroughly out of season, so we can't demonstrate. This might be a little too much gadget for our corn habits, but it is nice to finally know its purpose. It sat in our kitchen gadget drawer for years, and we always wondered about it!

Have you ever used one of these?

Tags

Gadgets, Mystery Gadget, Tupperware, corn on the cob

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Comments (22)

Haha, wow, nostalgiaville. Yes, we used to have one of these when I was young.

posted by Speakaboo on March 5th 2008 at 9:44am
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I grew up with one of these, thats what happens when your mom sells tupperware!! Makes buttering that golden cob a snap!

posted by Manders22 on March 5th 2008 at 9:52am
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my father is a corn on the cob fanatic. He grows a special kind that takes longer to grow but he loves it so much. He always complains when we have to eat the store bought kind in the summer until his is ready. I can say it is really good.

So i got him a thing called a butter boy. You put a stick inside and then pop off the top of his head and rub him all over your corn, works great.

http://www.perpetualkid.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1488

posted by jmorey on March 5th 2008 at 9:57am
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I was convinced it was going to have something to do with tequila shots.

posted by mollyjade on March 5th 2008 at 10:09am
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We had one of these too, I never knew what it was. Back then mom did all the cooking so I just thought it was a garlic press, but that bright yellow color is unmistakable. Thanks for letting us know.

posted by sally599 on March 5th 2008 at 10:11am
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What a flashback! We had these as a kid too (not the Tupperware brand ones, though) -- I still remember moving into my first apartment and buying a cheapie set at the dollar store so that I had my own for that first summer! I love them - a pat of butter in there was enough for 2 ears of corn - I can't wait to break mine out of storage for this summer!

posted by PAErin on March 5th 2008 at 10:46am
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When I started selling Tupperware I received a bag of odd plastic gadgets made from leftover plastic. This was one of them.

posted by oompaterra on March 5th 2008 at 11:40am
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My mom had this too. i grew up in the so we had a need for a gadget like this but i don't think we ever put salt in it just butter but no that i moved from DE to the heartland i may need this again!

posted by luv2cook on March 5th 2008 at 11:59am
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I loved those when I was a kid! We had little matching yellow plastic cob holders also to keep your fingers from getting too hot and buttery. Hooray for Tupperware!

posted by tangerinetreehouse on March 5th 2008 at 12:19pm
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We had one growing up, I think my mom put a mix of salt and pepper in the back. It's been a long time though...

posted by Zaya on March 5th 2008 at 12:30pm
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What is it? Landfill.

posted by SFGail on March 5th 2008 at 12:32pm
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Growing up in Illinois, I've used one of these from time to time. However, my family mostly used corn dishes so we had no need for the butter gadget. We simply put a pat of butter on top of the corn and it would melt and by rolling the corn in the dish it would coat it perfectly.

posted by themonkrat on March 5th 2008 at 1:46pm
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Ahhhh, I love this little gadget. My mom had one of these when I was little. They truly are the best!

posted by burksliz on March 5th 2008 at 3:44pm
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I haven't seen that thing in years! We had one growing up, my mom got it for free with one of her Tupperware purchases. It was thrown away many many years ago. It didn't work very well for the corn, so I think I used it as some sort of toy in my fake Barbie dream house (aka a cardboard box).

raspberry eggplant

posted by raspberry eggplant on March 6th 2008 at 10:27am
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Wow - talk about leaving no task un-gadgetized. Awesome.

posted by meg_ues on March 6th 2008 at 1:40pm
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I still use one. Mine isn't Tupperware though and I actually paid for it at a store.

posted by Rain on March 6th 2008 at 5:08pm
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Sure--we had one of these Tupperware wonders.

posted by artmarcia on March 6th 2008 at 6:23pm
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All the scarred children of Tupperware ladies u-n-i-t-e. Did you have to bag the orders like I did also? I have inherited too many gadgets to name.

Originally, these came with tongs for the corn as mentioned before. Maybe I'll be inspired to actually use it when corn is back in season.

posted by bkT on March 8th 2008 at 11:07am
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my mom was a Tupperware lady for years! we had one of these (at least) in our house... i NEVER knew what it was!! needless to say it was rarely used.

posted by Oneformybaby on March 10th 2008 at 12:50pm
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Love my tupperware! I would use it if I had one.
I was taught to butter a slice of bread and then while holding the bread in a U shape in your hand, roll your corn around. .......mmmm

posted by freckles2stars on May 19th 2008 at 11:58am
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Oh My Go-
i thought the tupper-nightmare was over...and you had to go and bring this up.

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